Comprehensive School Health CSH An Integrated Approach to

Comprehensive School Health: (CSH) An Integrated Approach to Promoting Wellness in a Healthy School Setting

Definition from CASH and CNA: n “A comprehensive school health approach includes a broad spectrum of activities and services that take place in schools and surrounding communities and enable children and youth to enhance their health, develop to their fullest potential, and establish productive and satisfying relationships in their present and future lives. ”

Basically…. . . promoting skills, values, and healthy behaviours for everyday living.

Canada & CSH n In 1990…. . only 3% of educators and health leaders were familiar with the term

By 1998…. . n 83% of education ministries n 42% of health ministries n 40% of school boards n and 53% of Public Health Units …. . . officially supported the concept.

Organizations that have officially endorsed the concept of CSH: n n n Canadian Association of Principals [CAP] Canadian Association of School Administrators [CASA] Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance [CAPHERD] Canadian Association for School Health [CASH] Canadian Cancer Society [CCS] n n n Canadian Guidance & Counselling Association [CGCA] Canadian Home Economics Association [CHEA] Canadian Home and School and Parent-Teacher Federation [CHSPTF] Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse [CCSA] Canadian Council on Tobacco Control [CCTC]

n n n Canadian Red Cross [CRC] Canadian School Boards Association [CSBA] Canadian Teachers Federation [CTF] Canadian Nurses’ Association [CAN] Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada [H&SFC] n n Canadian Lung Association [CLA] Canadian Medical Association [CMA] Canadian Public Health Association [CPHA] St. John’s Ambulance [SJA]

Why has this approach gained so much popularity over the years? because young people are more at risk n because better health means better learning n because it’s cost-effective n because it works! --> --> --> n

Components of a CSH Program

Instruction…. comprehensive curriculum n up-to-date resources n lifestyle focused physical education & n varied learning strategies n

Services. . . n an integrated web of services………. . . promoting inter-agency and inter-ministry cooperation.

Social Support. . . families n peers n school staff n policy-makers n others in the community n

Physical Environments. . . hygiene n good lighting n noise reduction n clean air n safe play areas n an overall warm and aesthetically pleasing environment n

Next Steps